C-86 Part 4: Case StudiesGenome: The entire DNA sequence that encodes the
complete genetic material for a living thing. The human
genome has 3 billion bases.
Molecular biology: The study of biological processes
at the molecular (subcellular level).
PCR (polymerase chain reaction): A scientific
method by which single or multiple copies of a short
piece of DNA are amplified.
QPCR (quantitative polymerase chain reaction):
A scientific method based on PCR that quantifies the
amount of DNA based on the number of amplification
cycles performed.
Reagent: A commonly used term for any generic or
specialized chemical used in laboratory experiments.
Sanger sequencing: Sequencing method developed
by two-time Nobel laureate Dr. Frederick Sanger. The
Sanger method became the preferred method because it
is more efficient and uses fewer toxic chemicals than the
primary alternative, Maxam-Gilbert sequencing.
Single Molecular Sequencing (SMS): Sequencing
method that interrogates single molecules of DNA,
avoiding biases found in other methods and increasing
speed of sequencing.
SNP (Single nucleotide polymorphism): Variation
in DNA sequence in which a base, such as cytosine, is
replaced by another base, such as thymine. SNPs rep-
resent the most common form of variation amongst
human beings. On average, the human genome has 10
million SNPs.^23
Ta q polymerase: Ta q is a heat-stable bacterial enzyme
used to attach the correct base to elongate DNA and
proofread its mistakes. Ta q is used to copy and amplify
DNA for research and forensics applications.Additional References:
William (Bill) Craumer, President, Lavenir, Inc.; former
Director of Investor Relations, Applied Biosystems.
Andy Watson, Former Vice President, Invitrogen/Life
Technologies.
Michael Hadjisavas, Former Vice President of Corporate
Development, Invitrogen/Life Technologies.NOTES
- A “catalog life science” company provides
a broad range of products that every
scientist uses, from purified (or “deionized”)
water to enzymes. Before the Internet,
all of the products were listed in a large
catalog, often as thick as a phone book,
with every product, part number and price. - Invitrogen Q1 2008 Earnings Call.
- Invitrogen 2007 Annual Report.
- Invitrogen 2007 Annual Report.
- Invitrogen 2007 Annual Report.
- Invitrogen Q4 2007 Earnings Call.
- National Human Genome Research
Institute (http://www.genome.
gov/11006943). - Pacific Biosciences raised $188 million in
2008-2009 (Source: Pacific Biosciences
Raises Additional $68M in Financing,
August 12, 2009 press release).
9. Mass spectrometry was one major
exception. Applied Biosystems and Sciex
had a co-development agreement. Sciex
developed the technology and Applied
Biosystems provided sales, marketing and
service support.
10. Marilyn Chase, “Invitrogen Offers $6.7B
for Applied Bio,” The Wall Street Journal,
June 13, 2008.Marilyn Chase, “Invitrogen
Offers $6.7B for Applied Bio,” The Wall Street
Journal, June 13, 2008.
11. Called PE Biosystems at the time.
12. “Pricey Perks let Executives Fly High”: http://
http://www.usatoday.com/money/companies/
management/2003-08-04-corporatejet_x.htm
13. A 13D must be filed with the SEC any time a
person or group acquires more than 5% of
a company’s shares. The transaction must
be reported within 10 days.
14. SNP Genotyping and Analysis Market,
June 2008, Kalorama Information.
15. Illumina press release, November 13, 2006.
16. “Invitrogen Discloses $20M Visigen
Acquisition,” http://www.genomeweb.com/
sequencing/invitrogen-discloses-20m-
visigen-acquisition-posts-15-percent-
q3-revenue-growth.
17. Illumina 2006 Annual Report.
18. Life Technologies website; Forbes.com.
19. Linkedin.com.
20. Forbes.com.
21. Pacific Biosciences website, Wikipedia.
22. Illumina website.
23. “What are Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms
(SNPs)?” http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/
genomicresearch/snp.